German June New Car Registrations Down 1.9% on Year - KBA

By Chase Gummer

FRANKFURT--German new car registrations fell in June on the year, the German Federal Motor Transport Authority, or KBA, said Wednesday.

New registrations were down 1.9% in June from the year-earlier month in Germany to 277,614 cars, in part due to fewer working days in some German states, the German Association of the Automobile Manufacturers, or VDA, said at a separate press conference Wednesday.

In the first half of the year, registrations rose 2.4% from the first six months of 2013 to 1,538,268 vehicles, KBA said.

The half-year data bodes well for a full-year projection by VDA. The industry group reiterated Wednesday that total German registrations in 2014 are likely to reach 3 million, in line with its previous forecasts.

The European automobile market has shown signs recovery this year, after a disappointing 2013.

"With improving consumer spending, which was up 1.1% on year in the first quarter, we expect stronger private demand in the second half of the year," VDA said.

--Hendrik Varnholt contributed to this item

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